Schoolgirls attack pensioner

A pensioner has been left with a broken arm after she was viciously mugged by a gang of schoolgirls.

The 82-year-old was left battered and bruised after the attack as she walked to her doctor in south London.

Minutes before the attack she had noticed the gang on the pavement near a pub in Peckham, but as she passed them one of the girls came up behind her and tried to snatch her handbag.

The woman, who has not been named, tried to fight them off but was thrown to the ground and the girls then grabbed her bag and ran off.

A passer-by found the injured woman lying in the street and took her to a nearby doctor's surgery. She was then taken to hospital by ambulance and treated for cuts, bruises and a broken arm.

Scotland Yard said the four girls, all aged about 13, had taken off their blazers and ties before targeting their frail victim, making it harder for witnesses to identify which school they attended.

Police said the woman did not have much money in her bag because she had been mugged before but had decided not to press charges for fear of a possible revenge attack.

Investigating officer Pc Stephen Vaucher said she had been left deeply traumatised by the ordeal and was now too scared to leave her home.

He said: "This was a nasty attack by schoolgirls so it's quite unusual. They must have been clued up because they took off their blazers and ties. Unfortunately there are quite a few schools around the area."

The attack happened off Nunhead Green in Peckham on 3 December at 10.30am and the suspects are described as white, aged around 13 and wearing white blouses, black skirts and black tights.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.